Early Preakness Betting Odds

A thrilling edition of the 2025 Kentucky Derby is in the books, as Sovereignty bounced back to his very best to land success at Churchill Downs. The three-year-old for trainer William Mott finished just over a length clear of Journalism to upset the pre-race favorite. 

The win also marked a significant weekend for the Godolphin operation, who also landed victories in the Kentucky Oaks, 2,000 Guineas and 1,000 Guineas. 

But, as is typically the case with horse racing, all attention quickly switches to the next big race in the diary, with the middle leg of the Triple Crown set for Pimlico on Saturday, May 17. 2025. But, which runners will take their chance in the second race?

Sovereignty To Take Chance?

There is typically pressure on the connections of the Kentucky Derby winner to take their chance in the Preakness Stakes, as fans will want history to be made on track. 

However, Sovereignty’s inclusion in the Preakness field is far from assured at this stage, as Bill Mott refused to commit his runner’s intention to run at Pimlico. The trainer admitted that he would do what’s ‘best’ for the horse. Godolphin have often been very ambitious with plans on the track, meaning it is extremely likely that the three-year-old will take his chance in the race if he has come out on the Derby in full working order.

It could be an anxious wait to see whether he will line up, as the trainer revealed after the race at Churchill Downs that the winner had sustained a four-inch scrape to his right front pastern. It’s likely that the injury was picked up as he was bumped when coming out of the starting gates. 

However, with such a quick turnaround before the second Triple Crown race, it does mean that there is limited time available for the runner to get back to full fitness. 

You can check more information about Preakness Stakes here: https://www.twinspires.com/preakness-stakes/ 

Journalism Set for Pimlico

Despite finishing second in the Derby, many will still argue that Journalism is the most talented three-year-old in the United States this season. The pre-race favorite was bumped coming out of the gate at Churchill Downs, but ran out soundly from a weak position to eventually finish within a length of the winner.

It could be argued that the first four home in the Derby will all win major races this season, and connections of Journalism have already indicated that the plan is to head to Pimlico in a couple of weeks. 

Michael McCarthy revealed after the race that they would assess the runner’s fitness this week before a final decision is made. McCarthy already knows what it takes to land Preakness glory after winning the race at Pimlico with Rombauer in 2021. Due to the trainer’s comments, Journalism is already located at the top of the Preakness betting.

Baeza and Sandman to Bypass Preakness

Two runners that won’t be taking their chances in the Preakness this year will be Baeza and Sandman. The former ran a storming race in the Kentucky Derby, eventually finishing third despite having a poor trip. 

John Shirreffs revealed that his runner will overlook a run in the Preakness Stakes, with a run in the Belmont Stakes likely to be his next port of call. Connections of Sandman have announced the same plan. Mark Casse revealed that the Preakness was never on the agenda for his three-year-old, but the plan could have changed should the runner have won the Kentucky Derby. 

Connections revealed that the wet track didn’t favour Sandman’s chances at Churchill Downs, but they remain confident that there will be big races for the three-year-old to win this season. 

Triple Crown Newcomers Merit Respect in Preakness

Fresh horses have an excellent recent record in the Preakness Stakes, meaning runners that didn’t run in the Derby are deserving of huge respect. Bob Baffert has already made it clear that he intends to run Rodriguez in the race at Pimlico this year, as his one-time Derby hope was ruled out of the race at Churchill Downs due to a foot bruise. 

River Thames is also a likely runner for the Todd Pletcher team. The three-year-old finished third in the Blue Grass Stakes. Grande could also represent the Pletcher yard, with the Mike Repole-owned horse scratched from the Derby following vet advise at Churchill Downs. 

Clever Again could also be a lively Preakness Stakes contender for trainer Steven Asmussen. Connections have already shared their intention that the three-year-old will make the trip to Pimlico. 

He is an unexposed contender in the field, with the son of America Pharoah winning on both of his two stars this season. His inclusion in the Preakness field likely means that Tiztastic is unlikely to make the trip after finishing tenth in the Derby. Both horses share the same ownership group.